Rochester NY
School of Rock

Explore School of Rock

Rochester NY

Map
School of Rock Rochester NY
235 High Street Extension
Victor, NY 14564
585-400-7625
Hours
  • Monday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Tuesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Wednesday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Thursday: 3 PM - 9 PM
  • Friday: 3 PM - 6 PM
  • Saturday: 11 AM - 4 PM
  • Sunday: Closed

Music programs at School of Rock Rochester NY combine one-on-one lessons with group band practices

Programs we offer

Rock 101 music program in Rochester  for kids and beginners
Rock 101
Ages 8-13

Rock 101 is one of School of Rock Rochester NY's top programs for kids and beginners. Students have one weekly group rehearsal where they learn to play classic rock songs that have been simplified for beginner musicians. Additionally, Rock 101 students in Rochester NY have a weekly private music lesson with an instructor who helps them learn the concepts and skills behind their performance songs.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

Our music programs for kids in Rochester are designed to get students on stage performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency. Younger students at School of Rock Rochester NY who have participated in the Rookies program can move to our Rock 101 music program once they’re ready. Additionally, students (typically ages 8 to 13-years-old) can begin Rock 101 without any prior experience. The goal of this rock program is to quickly develop a basic competence on students’ chosen instruments before moving on to our famous Performance Program.

Performance music program for teens in Rochester
Performance
Ages 8-18

The Performance Program at School of Rock Rochester NY is our hallmark music program, where tens of thousands of students enroll each year. It consists of a weekly group rehearsal where kids and teens learn by playing rock music's most iconic songs with a band composed of their peers. Students are assigned songs and parts that are tailored to them based on their age, experience and ability to learn new skills and concepts. Students then work through their parts in weekly private music lessons, refining the skills and concepts that those songs introduce. The goal of this curriculum is to prepare kids and teens for live performances. Every few months, School of Rock Rochester NY Performance Program students take the stage and play at local Rochester music venues in front of a live audience.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

School of Rock Rochester NY's music programs for kids and teens are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing. All of our other music education programs focus on readying students for our famous Performance Program. This is where students develop incredible musical skills. Performance Program students have often gone through our Rock 101 program first or have some previous basic music experience. These young musicians will have custom development plans outlined by their instructors with key concepts reinforced during private lessons and group rehearsals, all with the goal of performing live at a Rochester music venue.

Rookies music program for children in Rochester
Rookies
Ages 6-7

At School of Rock Rochester NY, our music program for children with no previous musical experience (typically ages 6 to 7-years-old) is called Rookies. Rookies students have one weekly group music lesson where they learn fundamentals like chords, rhythm and song structure. Kids get to learn and experiment with multiple instruments so they can later decide which one they ultimately want to continue pursuing in Rock 101.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE OF SIMPLIFIED ROCK INSTRUMENTS TO TEACH KIDS TO PLAY MUSIC

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire students to learn and develop a strong musical proficiency. At School of Rock Rochester NY, younger students who are not ready for a more comprehensive program like Rock 101 can start in Rookies. Additionally, students who have completed the Little Wing program will progress into the Rookies music program. No prior musical experience is needed for Rookies. Once your child is ready for private music lessons (typically older than first or second graders), they will graduate into our Rock 101 program.

Little Wing music program for toddlers and preschoolers in Victor
Little Wing
Ages 4-5

At School of Rock Rochester NY our Little Wing music program for preschoolers and toddlers teaches students foundational music skills by playing games and participating in other interactive musical activities. Little Wing students have one weekly group music lesson in which they use classic rock songs to learn about rhythm, song structure, melody and dynamics through play.

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP LESSON
  • USE HAND PERCUSSION & OTHER TOOLS TO LEARN RHYTHM PATTERNS & MUSIC SYNTAX

The Path to Take the Stage

The Little Wing music program is the first step in a young musician's journey. At School of Rock Rochester NY, toddlers and preschoolers who show an interest in music should start with Little Wing. As they get older, they will progress into the Rookies program, followed by Rock 101 and the Performance Program.

Songwriting
Age 12 and over

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens teaches the fundamentals of songwriting, arrangement and music theory, and helps students compose original works.  At School of Rock Rochester NY, songwriting students receive one weekly private lesson where they learn concepts, technique and theory on an instrument of their choice. These principles are then applied in a weekly group lesson where students work together on songwriting exercises and lyrical workshops.  Every few months, Songwriting students take the stage to perform or band together to record their original songs.

What to Expect
  • 1 weekly private lesson
  • 1 weekly group lesson

The Path to Take the Stage

Our Songwriting program for kids and teens in Rochester is designed to create musical proficiency through the creation of original music. Students at School of Rock Rochester NY who have completed our Rock 101 program can move to our Songwriting program once they’re ready. Additionally, new students who have prior experience with and basic knowledge of an instrument can also begin Songwriting. The program culminates with a live showcase where students perform their original compositions in bands at a local music venue. Students taking the Songwriting Program online will remotely record their original songs to produce a demo of the class's music.

Remote student playing guitar
Online
All Ages

At School of Rock Rochester NY, our students can take online, one-on-one music instruction from the comfort of their homes. We call this program School of Rock Remote. This online music program contains weekly one-on-one instruction conducted by our expert School of Rock instructors in a safe virtual lesson room.
 
Students will receive their training using our proprietary education program, The School of Rock Method™, which couples live video lessons with our proprietary Method App™, SongFirst Approach™ and Method Books™. 

What To Expect
  • ONE WEEKLY 1-ON-1 LESSON
  • LESSONS CONDUCTED USING SECURE VIDEO TECHNOLOGY

THE PATH TO TAKE THE STAGE

All of our music programs for kids, teens, and adults are designed to help students gain amazing musical proficiency. School of Rock’s online music lesson program is no exception. Online guitar lessons, online piano lessons, online drum lessons, online singing lessons and online bass guitar lessons are all offered through the School of Rock Remote online program.

Adult music program in Rochester  for students over 18
Adult Program
Ages 18+

School of Rock Rochester NY's Adult Program is for students over 18 years old who are looking to either improve their musical proficiency or pick up an instrument with no prior musical experience. As with most School of Rock music programs, the Adult Program uses a performance-based music education approach. This means the curriculum focuses on learning music concepts and applying them in a live performance setting. Our Adult Music Program includes one weekly private music lesson and a weekly group rehearsal. Every student at School of Rock Rochester NY is placed in a band of fellow adults and then assigned specific songs as a way of learning key music concepts and skills. Adult students then take the stage to play at a live show in Rochester .

What To Expect
  • 1 WEEKLY PRIVATE LESSON
  • 1 WEEKLY GROUP REHEARSAL

The Path to Take the Stage

All of our music programs are designed to inspire by getting students on stage and performing, with the goal of building strong musical proficiency along the way. The School of Rock Rochester NY Adult Program is open to all experience levels and each student will follow a customized learning plan developed by their instructor. Adult students will work together during rehearsal to prepare for a live performance at a real rock venue in Rochester .

House Band program for gigging at local venues in Rochester
House Band
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock Rochester NY House Band music program gives students under 18 the opportunity to join a gigging band composed of fellow musicians from their school. These students perform additional live shows throughout the year. All students in the Performance Program have the opportunity to audition for a spot in School of Rock Rochester NY's House Band. Once selected, House Band members become leaders in their School of Rock community and perform live shows at NY rock venues throughout the year.

What To Expect
  • A GIGGING MUSICIAN'S EXPERIENCE
  • FREQUENT LIVE PERFORMANCES IN COMMUNITY

The Path to Take the Stage

Performance is the core of School of Rock's educational approach. Therefore, we create additional opportunities for students to perform on stages throughout Rochester and the rest of NY. The House Band music program allows each school's most talented students the opportunity to join a band and play routinely in front of live audiences. Once a member, students will gain real music experience associated with gigging musicians and will become leaders and mentors inside the School of Rock community.

The AllStars national tour features the best child and teen musicians
AllStars
Age 17 and Under

The School of Rock AllStars Tour takes the very best students from around the world and sends them on a nationwide summer tour across the United States. Less than 1% of School of Rock students are selected each year to represent School of Rock as an AllStar. All Performance Program students are eligible to audition for this prestigious program. The intensive audition process starts off with video submissions followed by live auditions. Once selected, AllStar students will have an authentic touring experience including traveling on a tour bus, doing tour publicity and starring in nightly performances at famous venues and festivals during a two-week tour.

What To Expect
  • A MULTI-CITY, COUNTRY-WIDE MUSIC TOUR EXPERIENCE
  • PERFORMING ON SOME OF THE BIGGEST AND MOST FAMOUS STAGES IN THE WORLD

The Path to Take the Stage

Becoming an AllStar is the highest level of achievement for a School of Rock student. They play on legendary stages large and small, including The Knitting Factory, Red Rocks Amphitheatre, The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, The Troubadour and Lollapalooza. AllStar students often go on to have accomplished careers in the music industry. Former AllStars have gone on to become touring artists, star in Broadway musicals, get signed to record deals, become finalists on talent competitions like "The Voice" and "American Idol" and have other notable roles in the music industry.

Music Lessons in Rochester NY

Kid learns to play guitar at School of Rock Rochester

Guitar Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock Rochester NY, we offer beginner guitar lessons for kids. Our expert guitar instructors guide your child from start to finish with private instruction and weekly group band rehearsals. Every instructor at School of Rock Rochester NY is an experienced musician, and they emphasize foundational music theory and technique when teaching guitar lessons to kids. Unlike other Rochester guitar lessons and programs, School of Rock is designed to get students performing in a band.

Beginner Guitar Lessons for Adults

It’s never too late to learn to play the guitar. Similar to our kids guitar lessons, School of Rock Rochester NY's beginner guitar lessons for adults utilizes a performance-based curriculum. Our experienced instructors teach adult students through popular rock songs, and teach students to play guitar in a way that’s challenging and fun. We believe the best way to learn is by doing, which is why we combine weekly private guitar lessons with group band rehearsals. At School of Rock Rochester NY, we teach beginner guitar lessons for adults in our Adult Program. This program gets students performing onstage at a local Rochester venue.

Key Concepts
  • Technique
  • Solos
  • Chords
  • Theory

Intermediate to Advanced Guitar Lessons

As students gain skills and experience, we move them along to more challenging programs at higher skill levels. Intermediate and advanced students take the skills they learned in beginner guitar lessons, and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. School of Rock Rochester NY offers advanced guitar lessons for kids and adults that teach by playing challenging classic rock songs and emphasize playing the guitar in a real music venue. Our Rochester guitar teachers will work with each student to develop a custom learning plan.

Kids learn to drum at School of Rock Rochester

Drum Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Drum Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Rochester NY is the best option for anyone looking to learn the drums. Our beginner drum lessons get kids behind the drum kit and on their way to taking the stage. That’s why at School of Rock Rochester NY we combine private drum lessons for beginners with weekly band rehearsals—it prepares students to perform live. With years of experience teaching drums in Rochester , our drum instructors teach beginner drum students core techniques, including how to groove, play rudiments and more.

Beginner Drum Lessons for Adults

Our drum lessons for adults are designed to accommodate all skill levels. At School of Rock Rochester NY, our beginner drum lessons for adults are built for musicians with little to no experience. We teach adults using the same core performance-based education philosophy as our drum lessons for kids—performing with a band accelerates the learning process. Adult students will perform live at a venue in Rochester . Unlike other Rochester drum lessons for beginners, School of Rock combines private drum lessons with weekly band rehearsals so students are ready to play in front of real, live audiences.

Key Concepts
  • RUDIMENTS
  • TIME SIGNATURES
  • TECHNIQUE
  • GROOVE

Intermediate to Advanced Drum Lessons

More experienced to advanced drum students need a drum lesson curriculum that builds upon foundational skills and continues to grow musical proficiency. That’s why at School of Rock Rochester NY, our drum lessons are customized for each student and his or her goals. Our Rochester drum instructors integrate more complex techniques and concepts—intermediary grooves, shifts, meters and more—into a student's individual lessons and group band rehearsal, and will also select more difficult songs for his or her live performances.

 

Kid learns to sing at School of Rock Rochester

Singing Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Singing Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Rochester NY offers beginner singing lessons for kids. Our unique, performance-based approach develops students' musical proficiency by preparing them to perform live. At School of Rock Rochester NY, our vocal coaches are practicing musicians who integrate key music fundamentals—breathing, posture and more—into a curriculum based on performing with a band. Each week, beginner singing students participate in a private singing lesson and a band rehearsal.

Beginner Singing Lessons for Adults

School of Rock Rochester NY teaches adults how to sing in our innovative Adult Program. Students develop vocal skills at a challenging pace designed to help you see results with every singing lesson. Adult vocalists learn how to keep tempo, stay on-key and master advanced vocal techniques for a powerful and healthy voice. Our curriculum teaches students how to sing by using popular rock songs that emphasize key concepts. Each week, Adult Program students have a private singing lesson for beginners and group band rehearsal.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • HARMONY
  • POWER
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Singing Lessons

At School of Rock Rochester NY, our singing lessons for kids and adults are designed to help our students reach a high degree of musical proficiency. Intermediate and advanced singers take skills learned from previous singing lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. Our advanced singing lessons teach students to sing by performing popular rock songs that illustrate a specific vocal concept or technique. We pair weekly private singing lessons with weekly band rehearsals with the goal of getting musicians to perform live in Rochester .

Kid learns to play bass at School of Rock Rochester

Bass Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Bass Lessons for Kids

School of Rock Rochester NY offers beginner bass guitar lessons for kids that blend weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. This performance-based approach results in a high level of musical proficiency because it engages and inspires students. Every School of Rock bass instructor is a practicing musician in Rochester and teaches bass lessons for kids that get great results. Beginners learn to play bass guitar by using popular rock songs that illustrate key concepts and techniques.

Beginner Bass Lessons for Adults

Adults looking to learn bass guitar can enroll in School of Rock’s Adult Program. No experience is necessary in our beginner bass guitar lessons for adults. At School of Rock Rochester NY, our experienced, local bass guitar instructors have the patience and skills to help adult students gain musical proficiency. As with all School of Rock music programs, our bass guitar lessons for adults ciriculum is performance-based, and include both weekly private instruction and weekly band rehearsals.

Key Concepts
  • GROOVE
  • TECHNIQUE
  • THEORY
  • TONE

Intermediate to Advanced Bass Lessons

Our intermediate to advanced bass guitar lessons teach Rochester students the skills they need to become the backbone of a band. Students take skills from previous bass lessons and layer on more difficult techniques and concepts. At School of Rock Rochester NY, our bass instructors use popular rock songs as a way of teaching students advanced concepts and techniques. We pair weekly private bass lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Kid learns to play piano at School of Rock Rochester

Keyboard Lessons for All Skill Levels

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Kids

At School of Rock we teach differently than other music schools in Rochester . Our curriculum is performance-based, meaning that we prepare students to perform. Our piano lessons for beginners combine weekly private instruction with weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock Rochester NY, our beginner keyboard lessons for kids take key concepts and music fundamentals—finger placement, scales, key differentiation and more—and teach them through popular rock songs. This approach inspires and engages students, which results in attaining a high level of musical proficiency. Our piano teachers have years of experience teaching music in the Rochester area, and know how to coach and motivate students of any skill level to play the keyboard.

Beginner Keyboard Lessons for Adults

The School of Rock Rochester NY Adult Program puts beginner keyboard students in a band. Adult Program students in the Rochester area learn to play piano through a combination of weekly private beginner piano lessons and weekly band rehearsals. At School of Rock, our piano lessons give adult students the chance to perform in a band at local Rochester music venues, taking them out of the classroom and onto the stage.

Key Concepts
  • TECHNIQUE
  • TONE
  • THEORY
  • READING

Intermediate to Advanced Keyboard Lessons

At School of Rock Rochester NY, our keyboard lessons for kids and adults are designed to help students get results. Intermediate and advanced students take skills learned from beginner keyboard lessons and layer on more advanced piano techniques with concepts. Our local keyboard instructors are all practicing musicians in Rochester , and use popular rock songs as a way of teaching complex skills. We pair weekly private piano lessons with weekly band rehearsals to inspire and engage students throughout the learning process.

Our Experienced Music Teachers

All of School of Rock Rochester NY’s music teachers are experienced musicians devoted to helping students attain musical proficiency. Our instructors guide students one-on-one to personalize learning, inspire confidence and build social skills.

Drum Teacher Paul Cucinella
Paul Cucinella
Drum Teacher
New York/Philadelphia drummer Paulie Cucinella's funky, hip style of drumming drives the groove of Acid Jazz Quartet “FlashBamPow," a WNY-based group known for blending complex jazz fusion, soul-drenched psychedelic jamming, eastern ragas, and old top 40 tunes. From Broadway to the Bronx, Philly to Rochester, Paul has worked with some incredible musicians and mentors. Now he shares his skills as a drum teacher at School of Rock in Rochestery, NY.
Owner, General Manager, Show Director David Curry
David Curry
Owner, General Manager, Show Director
David is one of our School of Rock Rochester owners and show directors. He is an active member of the Rochester music scene either music directing or pit directing youth musicals at various public and private schools, or playing Americana, Alternative Country, and Rock with the Genesee Revelers. David is a multi-instrumentalist and plays the keyboard, bass, and guitar, and sings. He is thrilled to provide young musicians the opportunity to perform and learn about music. David has an eclectic music taste and is always open to learning about new musical acts.
Guitar Teacher Nathan Davenport
Nathan Davenport
Guitar Teacher
Nathan Davenport is a motivated and passionate teacher who loves sharing his skills to help students achieve their musical goals. Nate has been playing guitar for over two decades. Largely self-taught, he also holds a degree in performance. In addition to helping School of Rock students learn to shred, Nate teaches music at a day program for adults with disabilities. He has worked with all different types of people from all different backgrounds, skill sets, and abilities.

Nate's unique skill set developed through self-guided training, formal training, and military experience have informed his well-rounded perspective that self-motivation and discipline pave the way for success in music. Success on guitar is not for the "naturally gifted" but for the person who perseveres and challenges adversity head-on.

Nate can be found performing in classical and jazz guitar contexts, in addition to rock & roll, throughout the Rochester region.
Owner, Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Singing Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher John Kunes
John Kunes
Owner, Music Director, Guitar Teacher, Bass Guitar Teacher, Vocal Teacher, Keyboard + Piano Teacher
John Kunes has performed on stages in Illinois to Massachusetts and everywhere in between. He has studied music at Monroe Community College, Bowling Green State University, DePaul University, and Eastman School of Music. He studied guitar with jazz virtuoso Jimmy Bruno. As a music educator for over 30 years, John's passion is helping students discover their unlimited potential as musicians.
Bass Guitar Teacher Paul Ogunsalu
Paul Ogunsalu
Bass Guitar Teacher
Paul Ogunsalu is an award-winning graduate of Berklee College of Music and a bass teacher at School of Rock in Rochester, NY. He has spent many years touring as a bassist and producer both nationally and internationally, working with a wide variety of music styles and artists. His productions have received national and international airplay, premiering on networks such as MTV, BET, VH1, BBC Radio, BBC Television, and NBC. He also enjoys working with local Rochester artists!
Little Wing and Rookies Program Director, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Singing Teacher Alexis Weber
Alexis Weber
Little Wing and Rookies Program Director, Keyboard + Piano Teacher, Vocal Teacher
Alexis Weber is the Rookies and Little Wing program director, as well as a keyboard + piano teacher and vocal instructor at School of Rock Rochester NY. She has played the piano for 17 years and studied privately under her instructor Deborah Williams for about 8 years. Alexis has been involved both casually and professionally in Rochester community theatre since she was 14 years old, and still performs in her free time. Alexis has a great love for classical music and opera, but listens to a variety of music from classic rock to show tunes. When she’s not teaching, Alexis spends her evenings with her 4 cats and partner.
Studio Coordinator, Rock 101 Director, Rookies and Little Wing Teacher Chloe Kunes
Chloe Kunes
Studio Coordinator, Rock 101 Director, Rookies and Little Wing Teacher
Chloe Kunes originally hails from Chicago, but her true home has always been in studios and on stage. Her instruments of choice are bass and drums, but she'll dabble in anything she can get her hands on! Formerly a performing dancer and dance teacher, Chloe's multi-passionate artistic background gives her a unique perspective as a musician, performer, and educator.

Chloe studied dance under internationally recognized choreographer/instructor Joel Hall, and at The Chicago High School for the Arts, surrounded and inspired by her creative peers daily. She has had the pleasure of performing in major productions on stages all across Chicago, having danced with The Joel Hall Dancers' pre-professional company for five years. Among countless wonderful mentors, Chloe is grateful to have shared studios and stages working with and learning from many acclaimed performers and choreographers with credits in The Lion King and other Broadway productions, Cirque du Soleil, and some of the most renowned dance companies in the country.

Chloe is so excited to be sharing her passion for music and performance with the community! She is incredibly honored every day to be supporting young musicians as they build creative confidence, discover their identities and voices, and find expression and joy through playing music.
School of Rock is where music and learning come together

For over twenty years, our amazing instructors have transformed hundreds of thousands of students across the world into skilled musicians. Become a musician at School of Rock.

Reviews

What I like about the program is that my kids LOVE it!

This is so different from the music lessons that existed when I was a kid. These kids are actually making music and learning to play as a band. The performances are so impressive, and watching the kids gain confidence and express themselves on stage is priceless.

The structure around how kids learn is amazing.

Taking lessons to learn an instrument is one thing, but learning how to be a part of a band is on another level. These kids are learning how to communicate, respect people and their opinions, and how to be accountable for themselves. It’s more than just music here.

It's the best music program in the city.

Dedicated instructors and staff, vibrant atmosphere, and most importantly, it's fun! My 8-year-old has grown leaps and bounds in skill and personal confidence. If you're thinking about checking it out, don't wait, just do it!

The kids have a great time while learning to play.

Lifelong skills and relationships are born here. The staff shares their passion for music and are very professional and accommodating. Wish I had this type of exposure to music when I was growing up!

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